Exploring my life through the lens of a camera…

Archive for the ‘Sewing’ Category

In an effort to build my cloth diaper stash, learn how to sew and fill my need for handmade things, I’ve made my first pocket diaper for my little guy. I keep forgetting to photograph him wearing it but it fits well, is the size it’s supposed to be and pretty easy to sew! It’s my second pocket diaper – my first one was tiny, and looks more like a speedo. I may try it should I ever have number 2 – it may work in the newborn phase.

Oh the world of cloth diapering is a big one. People have stashes, collect prints, and easily spend serious coin on their cloth.

Me? I cloth diaper. My son has only ever been in one disposable. I cloth diaper for the cost, it’s better for my son’s sensitive skin (he reacts to disposable wipes even), the environment, and it’s cute.

But I don’t have the time, energy or money to spend on that cute WAHM* diaper on Etsy, the latest design from the big names etc. I found a brand that worked for me, and mostly stick to it.

But, I am resurrecting my rusty sewing skills. So, since I have the supplies to make a diaper cover, that is what I did today. We needed more. If this works, I’ll do it again.

I used some fold over elastic (someone please tell me why the Babyville Boutique packages don’t have enough to go around the entire medium diaper pattern from their book???) for the legs and the gusset and the back. But the package didn’t have enough to go around the whole way.

I used a few tutorials on YouTube to help me out, and I made it a hidden PUL cover. The outside is quilting cotton I had, and I got one cover from one fat quarter. I sewed the two layers together inside out, turned it and then added then top stitched. I discovered part way into the Fold over elastic step that there wasn’t enough to go the entire way around, so it’s a bit crooked. Next time I’ll buy regular elastic and make a casing for it.

Anyhow, it’s fairly beginner, but tomorrow I will test it out and see if it does the job. If so, I have a lot more PUL (white and patterned) to use! Maybe eventually you won’t be able to tell that my handmade ones are home sewn…

I haven’t known what to write and I haven’t felt like I’ve had a solid direction. Not to mention I’m crazy busy. More about that later.

Anyhow, for my birthday my husband (yes, there has been many changes!!) gave me a fantastic sewing machine (my expert sewist mother-in-law also was in on the gift and directed the excellent choice!).

I have wanted a machine more up to date than my vintage machine for years! Why? Well I have always admired those who can construct and fit their own clothes! I took a sewing class in junior high and hope that with online tutorials I can master the techniques I need.

I’ve found clothes hard to fit (a full bust adjustment will become my friend!) and dream of a wardrobe of well fitting clothes and perhaps a bit of freedom from store dress sizes. Sigh.

As a first project I made a cute bib for my son (yes, I’ve experienced MANY changes), with a great deal of help from my mother-in-law. A second project was a notions bag for my knitting.

I hope I can make wearable scrubs too!
Maybe one day I will have the guts to buy pricey fabric and make an amazing dress or six…